Search - Raphy Leavitt :: Mi Barrio

Tricky choice for salsa neophytes

Felix L. Rodriguez | MADRID, Spain | 09/30/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

""Mi Barrio" is, if I am not mistaken, the second effort by Puerta de Tierra's (a section in Puerto Rico's San Juan) group, for Borinquen Records.



Out of the total number of tracks, I will stand out "Amor y Paz", a gem, for my taste. Others like "Mi Barrio", "Solitario", "Soldado" and "Oye Mi Bongó" are very nice songs.



Raphy Leavitt y La Selecta was a popular (and still is back in Puerto Rico and parts of Latin America, due to the nostalgia of their early songs) which recorded some unforgettable gems from Salsa history, such as "La Cuna Blanca", "Jíbaro Soy", "Payaso" and others.



There is one "bad" factor about this CD.....it looks like the mastered the CD from crappy master tapes!! No remastering to improve the sound, whatsoever! So, it is not a CD really made to enjoy in an audiophile room, or in a setting where you would like to really listen and enjoy all instruments. In fact, some of the songs got audible defects that are not common to other old albums. I mean, you can listen in some parts that it is recorded where the tapes stuck for a second into the tape player head!!



I would recommend for people looking to sample Raphy Leavitt's music their first effort, "PAYASO" (also for Borinquen Records). ALL SONGS are great songs on that CD, from number 1 through number 10.....!!! That is if you like old salsa music!! This was not a salsa band that characterized for great (or even good!!) musicianship....but it has to be admitted that many classics were penned by La Selecta!"